Author's Note: I apologise for the great delay in posting. A little over a week ago, I had to put down my cat. Perhaps it sounds silly, but I could not bring myself to get in the mood to sit down, write or really do anything but be miserable and cry. Hope you enjoy this chapter, I really do appreciate your comments!

Chapter 4

Gathered under a gazebo in the gardens, the young men approached the ladies already indulging in tea. "Miss Bennet, Miss Hurst, Caroline." Bingley bowed towards them before his hand indicated in the other direction, "You remember my closest friend, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth murmured her consent and nodded politely before lowering her eyes. If her face could have burnt off from shame at her previous conversation of the gentleman in question, surely it would have. For her anger was directed more to the provocation and delicacy of the situation with Miss Bingley, more than the actual dislike of the gentleman in question.

"We have listed a number of activities to be engaged in the garden: Pale-maille shall be our main occupation I imagine. Perhaps there ought to be hunting and fishing for the men, but whatever shall we do in the meantime? No, I think not." said Miss Bingley with indecision.

Miss Hurst had been silent for the longest time for she was used to nodding and agreeing whilst allowing her friend to continue to make plans for the both of them. Here she looked up, "I apologise, I must take my leave. My mama says I must be home for supper as we are expecting guests." The men stood up to excuse her.

Miss Bingley nodded and continued on as if not hearing her friend, "We have quite settled everything for the picnic, Charles – I must say it will be most diverting with all of the amusements planned." Caroline spied Mr. Darcy with some pleasure. "Darcy might give the rest of the gentleman fits for he is sure to take prizes in most of the competitions."

"No indeed, you exaggerate my talents by half." Replied with a light laugh. "Everyone knows that Charles is the real marksman. Why how many birds did you catch today?" His eyes danced, it was such a jest, for all who knew Bingley knew that he was not keen at sport, nor was he accomplished in shooting, hunting or anything other than dancing.

"Ah Darcy means to have fun at me. Alas, I have no skill in the hunt. My heart, I fear, is not truly in it – as I think of the wretched creatures before I shoot and seem to miss each time. Quite deliberately my hands move, I think."

"Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, "must disarm reproof. It is obvious that you are too much the gentleman to kill."

"Oh dear, such a gentle soul," Darcy laughed comically, "Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is only a carelessness of opinion and often an indirect boast!"

"And which of the two do you call my piece of modesty?"

"Oh an indirect boast to be sure. You are attempting to portray yourself as interesting and perhaps eccentric in your gentle love of animals. How romantic! You are thusly quite proud of your little defect it seems."

"Nay, nay, merely attempting to account for the hesitation that is my burden." Bingley grinned as though he were guilty.

"Well, Mr. Darcy – I say, if your rebuke was to expose Mr. Bingley's pride, I am afraid it may have backfired – he seems now more than ever interesting and a wonder to unravel." Elizabeth was being impertinent, but she was quite intrigued, so much caught by what passed that she deigned to lose her fabricated countenance of cool indifference.

"I am exceedingly gratified," said Bingley, "by your converting what my friend says into a compliment. Would you like to take a turn around the gardens – I can show you where we house all of the game that it is impossible for me to shoot?"

Elizabeth was surprised at being singled out for an invitation, but she assumed that Bingley was attempting to give Mr. Darcy time alone with Miss Bingley. "Thank you, I should be delighted to have that tour."

"She is lively, that one." Darcy said once the couple was out of hearing.

Caroline pursed her lips together, "You are referring to Miss Bennet? I allow that she certainly makes everyone acquainted with the knowledge that she is from town, with the most decided opinions." There was some jealousy in her tone.

"Hmm. An interesting mix of pride and impertinence. Though one is made to admit her fine eyes are at once enchanting and haughty." He laughed at Caroline's face.

"Fine eyes?" Caroline almost choked the words out. "I think them rather more wild." She sneered, "She is a fine lady, but I doubt one can equally say as such about her eyes or face for that matter."

"Oh Caroline, come now, you almost sound jealous!" He teased. Silence descended and Darcy spoke once more, "Whatever is Bingley about, taking her for a turn?" it was now his turn to have jealousy tinge his words, mixed with the irritation of having been so decidedly rejected without cause, and obviously unbeknownst to her of his intelligence of it. "You think he might be dangling after her?"

"I did not think so before, but I might wonder at it now." Though she was beginning to dislike Miss Bennet, the idea of her attentions diverted elsewhere from Mr. Darcy could only but relieve her. "It would be a desirable match I imagine. Though Charles is not titled, he is wealthy enough, I daresay even for an heiress."

Mr. Darcy frowned, "Is money all that matters to that lady?" He spoke more to himself, however, Caroline responded.

"It certainly does to her mother, along with familial respectability," that seemed to hit a chord on Mr. Darcy's face, "Mrs. Bennet is all condescension until there is a reference to her daughter's eligibility or some other matter requiring her opinion or instruction – only then do you quite see the elevation of her preferences." She watched his response with observant eyes.

"Ah well, surely I am not good enough for her." He jested with a mocking voice.

"Indeed, she says you are not." Caroline continued ruthlessly.

Darcy coloured at the truth of it, for he had heard as much himself. "Perhaps I ought to tease Miss Bennet, she did have such a playful disposition at the ball. We would have much fun at her, perchance torture her a little. What you say?" His voice was light again, frequently masking his emotions with levity.

"I dare not. It is quite clear that Miss Bennet is not to be teased."

"Oh, well that is quite a shame, for you know how I so dear love a laugh." He smirked to indicate he was still considering it, his words edged with sarcasm.

Caroline and Darcy were as close as one might be with the sister of one's best friend. They grew up together, there was a camaraderie of friendship and even a touch of protectiveness for a sister. However, Darcy had never entertained romantic thoughts about Caroline and saw her as a little sister to be teased rather than a lady to court. The same could not be said for Miss Bingley, whose admiration and affection for Mr. Darcy grew out of a childhood infatuation and into a full possessive desire to have Mr. Darcy as her husband.

"I cannot think that I have ever seen Miss Bennet laugh, she is a stickler for propriety I think. Besides, I have heard that she has a great cousin who she is meant for. Her heart must be otherwise engaged."

Mr. Darcy could not help but be curious, "Indeed, has she mentioned him with such affection?"

"Oh no, I should never presume to pry. I heard it from Mrs. Phillips, her aunt. He is apparently the heir to Rosings Park in Kent and the two great families seek to be united with the match."

"The aunt sounds like a veritable dragon."

"Oh she is." Caroline's eyes twinkled.

"Well were she the heir to the crown, I would not have her – for such a disagreeable disposition can hardly be seen as attractive."

This finally satisfied Miss Bingley.